Tubular carrying case having multiple transverse compartments

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a substantially tubular carrying case, wherein the tube is sectioned into multiple substantially separated transverse compartments for carrying personal items. In one embodiment, the carrying case looks like a golf bag. In another embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag. In a further embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag that looks like a golf bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention provides a tubular carrying case forcarrying luggage and other possessions, such as for example, items foundin a diaper bag.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Travelers rely on bags and carrying cases for storing andtransporting luggage, and other personal possessions, such as clothes,toiletries, cameras, towels, and such. When traveling with infants,travelers are further encumbered with numerous items associated with thecare of the children, such as diapers, baby clothes, toys, food,bottles, wipes, skin care lotions, baby powder, etc. It is recognizedthat organizing the items required for the care of infants isparticularly difficult. Many diaper bags lack supported compartments, sothat access to the compartments are often compromised when thecompartments collapse. Various carrying cases purport to keep thepersonal items organized and portable. However, degree of success ofprior carrying cases is erratic. Moreover, the number of styles for bagsand carrying cases have become rather static. It would be desirable toprovide a carrying case with a unique look, and a structure that isconducive for keeping personal items organized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a substantially tubular carryingcase that is at least partially rigid, wherein the tube is sectionedinto multiple substantially separated transverse compartments forcarrying personal items. In one embodiment, the carrying case looks likea golf bag. In another embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag. Ina further embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag that looks likea golf bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0004]FIG. 1 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a prospective top view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention, wherein the top isopen to illustrate the top compartment interior.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention with the stand inoperation, wherein the interior and bottom compartments are open toillustrate the transverse compartments.

[0007]FIG. 4 is a prospective top and side view of an embodiment of atubular carrying case according to the present invention, wherein theall compartments are open.

[0008]FIG. 5 is a prospective bottom and side view of an embodiment of atubular carrying case according to the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 6 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention with the stand inoperation.

[0010]FIG. 7 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention illustrating theoperation of the stand.

[0011]FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying caseaccording to the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying caseaccording to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying caseaccording to the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying caseaccording to the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 12 is a side prospective view of an embodiment of a tubularcarrying case according to the present invention with the compartmentsopen.

[0016]FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying caseaccording to the present invention with the compartments open and thestand in operation.

[0017]FIG. 14 is a transparent side prospective view of an embodiment ofa tubular carrying case according to the present invention illustratingthe shelves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The invention is described by the following exemplaryillustrations. It should be recognized that variations based on theinventive features disclosed herein are within the skill of the ordinaryartisan, and that the scope of the invention should not be limited bythe examples. To properly determine the scope of the invention, aninterested party should consider the claims herein, and any equivalentthereof. In addition, any and all citations herein are, hereby,incorporated by reference.

[0019]FIG. 1 provides a prospective view of an embodiment of a carryingcase according to the invention 10 which looks like a golf bag. Carryingcase 10 comprises a main body 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16,a side 17, a solid support (not shown) and a soft cover 26. One or moreportions of the main body may optionally comprise an insulating materialso that the contents of one or more compartments can insulated fromundesirable temperatures. In the case where a cool temperature isdesired, a cooling pack may be added to the insulated compartments. Whenwarm temperatures are desired, a hot pack may be added to the insulatedcompartments. For purposes of illustration, the first end is alsoreferenced as the top end, and the second end is also referenced as thebottom end. First end 14 provides a first opening 18 (see FIG. 2) for afirst compartment 20 that is releasably enclosed by a first cover 22.For purposes of illustration, the first compartment will also be calledthe top compartment. As shown, first opening 18 forms a top-down entryto first compartment 20 that substantially encompasses the first end. Assuch, first cover 22, acting as lid for compartment 20, is joined tomain body 12 at attachment 28, and can be releasably closed by firstfastener 30 which is shown as zipper that substantially attaches alongan upper rim of the top end to the outer rim of the lid. Many types offasteners are known and may be used to releasably enclose thecompartments of the carrying case. Some examples of fasteners includegrommets, laces, fit seals, snaps, buttons and hook and loop typefasteners such as those known as VELCRO® fasteners.

[0020] Although not shown, alternative methods of accessing firstcompartment 20 are also known to those having ordinary skill in the art.For example, first end 14 can be enclosed by a top such that firstcompartment 20 is accessed from a side opening as shown and/or describedfor the other compartments.

[0021] Carrying case 10 comprises at least one other compartment whichis accessed from the side of the main body 12. For the embodiment inFIG. 3, carrying case 10 comprises additional compartments 32, 34 and36. As shown, the openings 38, 40 and 42 for compartments 32, 34 and 36comprise canopies 44, 46 and 48 which are designed to look like poucheson a golf bag. However, the openings for the additional compartments canbe located directly on side 17 of main body 12 such that the covers forthe openings constitute part of the main body.

[0022] Within the carrying case, the compartments are defined by thesides of main body 12, and at least one shelf separating eachcompartment from at least one adjacent compartment. In the embodimentshown, the compartments are substantially separated by shelves 50 (seeFIG. 2), 52 (see FIG. 6) and 54 (see FIG. 6). It is understood that theshelves can be made from many materials including cloth, polymericfabric and plastic, to provide a range of flexibility selected from softto resilient to hard. In the embodiment shown, the shelves areresilient. Moreover, the shelves or portions of the shelves can beremovably attached, in order to convert the bag into an actual golf bag,if so desired. In addition, when the bag has a canopy that looks likethe side pockets of a golf bag, it is possible to hinge the shelves suchthat when the shelves do not separate from the compartments, theyseparate the interior of the main body from the canopy, converting thecanopy in to actual side pockets of a golf bag.

[0023] As discussed above, first compartment 20 is also defined byeither a top or, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a lid 22. Inthe case where the carrying case is transformable into a golf bag, thetop is completely removable or has a removable section. A bottom 55 atsecond end 16 (see FIG. 5) defines the compartment that is distal fromthe top compartment. In the embodiment shown, bottom 55 definescompartment 36 which is distal from compartment 20 (see FIG. 6).Alternatively, an optional shelf may separate compartment 36 from bottom55. Numerous bottoms are known to the ordinary artisan for golf bags andcan be used as bottom 55. In the embodiment shown, the bottom comprisesa polymer base having studs for standing the bag upright. Otherembodiments can include bottoms with wheels of varying sizes or weightswith a rounded bottom for keeping the carrying case upright.

[0024] Covers 56, 58 and 60 are attached to the canopies adjacent toopenings 38, 40 and 42 at attachments 62, 64 and 66 (see FIG. 6). Thecovers can releasably enclose the respective compartments by fasteners68, 70 and 72, which are shown as zippers, but as discussed above, canencompass many types of fasteners. Although the covers are shown to beattached to the canopies at the bottom, examples of additionalembodiments include attaching the covers at either side or at the top.Optional retainers, shown as a mesh in some of the embodiments (notlabeled), may attach the covers to the canopies to help retain thecontents of the compartments when they are open.

[0025]FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate an optional golf bag stand 74. In theembodiment shown, the stand is located on the side opposite openings 38,40 and 42 to provide at least a partially downward access to the sidecompartments when the stand is in use. FIG. 7 illustrates carrying case10 leaning against the golf bag stand 74. Numerous golf stands are knownto the ordinary artisan and can be used in accordance with the presentinvention. In the embodiment shown, golf stand 74 comprises hinge 80attached at the top (first end 14) of carrying case 10 by known methods,such as rivets, screws, etc. Each of legs 82 and 82′ are hingedlyattached to hinge 80 at one end. Extension rods 84 and 84′ are pivotlyattached at one end and to legs 82 and 82′ respectively by pivot mounts86 and 86′. Each of rods 84 and 84′ are hingedly attached at second end16 by anchor 88 which is hinged against the bottom so that when theanchor 88 is pushed against the ground, the anchor pushes rods 84 and84′ up, which pushes legs 82 and 82′ away from the main body. Otherwell-known methods of maintaining a golf bag in a upright or leaningposition, without laying the golf bag on its side may be incorporated inthe present invention, such as for example, weighing the bottom of thegolf bag to keep the bag upright.

[0026]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate both a strap 76 and an optional handle 78similar to those found on golf bags for carrying the carrying case.Numerous such straps and handles are available to the ordinary artisan.The strap and handle system shown can be used with strap adaptors whichallows the bag to be carried like a back pack. While numerousembodiments are known to the ordinary artisan, one embodiment indicatesthat the strap is hooked to ringlets 79 attached to side 17 by knownmethods on or about the top end and on the side at about the middle ofthe main body. Examples of other variations include having the strapssewn or riveted directly to the main body near the top at one end and atvarious points along the side, including near the bottom of the mainbody, at the other end. Handle 78 is attached under strap 76 near thetop end of the main body. Towels and name tags (not shown) can beattached by known methods to the ringlet or the handle.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the carrying case also has an optionalfirst pouch 90 and an optional second pouch 92 on the side of main body12 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The pouches may be mesh, made from the samematerial as soft cover 26, or made from an entirely different material.Numerous pouch styles and materials are known to the ordinary artisan.In conjunction with the golf bag motif, one of the pouches can take theform of an umbrella holder (not shown), or more consistent with a diaperbag, can hold a rolled-up diaper mat (not shown). As shown, theembodiment also illustrates additional optional pouches 94 (see FIG. 2)that line the inner wall of first compartment 20. When carrying case 10is used as diaper bag, such pouches are useful for holding bottles andbaby food jars.

[0028] While in the exemplary embodiment, the carrying case is the sizeof an ordinary golf bag, the dimensions of the carrying case can beincreased or decreased according to the needs of the traveler. Inaddition, the cross-section of the tube need not be any particularshape. In the embodiment shown the cross-section of the tubular body issubstantially circular. However, substantially oval or substantiallypolygonal cross-sections in which the edges are sufficiently rounded topreclude discomfort during carriage can also be used. Moreover, thelength to width ratio need not be particularly defined, aside from thefact that the length of the case needs to be at least about one and ahalf times the width of the case (in the case of a circular crosssection, the width is defined by the diameter of the circle). The widthof the tube at one end can also be different from the width of the tube,provided that the length is at least about one and a halve times that ofthe widest width of the tube cross section. In another embodiment, thelength of the tube is at least about twice that of the width or widestwidth of the tube cross section.

[0029] The materials used to make the solid support and soft cover ofthe golf bags are well known to those of ordinary skill in making golfbags. In the present invention, the soft cover is made from canvas.Examples of other materials for the soft cover include polymers such anylon, or natural materials such as leather. In the present invention,the solid support is made from plastic. It is also known to have a solidsupport comprising a ring and a pan shaped base rigidly connected by aninner rod. The soft cover joins the ring and the base to form the mainbody such that the intermediate section of the main body between thering and the base is not rigid. However, the ring, the base and theinner rod remain substantially rigid. In such an arrangement, the basecan tilt on the inner rod to operate the stand by pushing rods 84 and84′ up, which pushes legs 82 and 82′ away from the main body.

We claim:
 1. A carrying case comprising a substantially tubular bodythat is at least partially rigid, and a carrying strap, wherein thetubular body comprises a top end, a bottom end and a side, and issectioned into at least three substantially separate transversecompartments comprising a top compartment, a bottom compartment and atleast an intermediate compartment; the top compartment comprises a firstopening which is releasably closed by a first cover having a firstfastener, the bottom compartment comprises a second opening on the sideof the tubular body which is releasably closed by a second cover havinga second fastener, the at least one intermediate compartment comprisesat least one corresponding intermediate compartment opening on the sideof the tubular body which is releasably closed by at least onecorresponding intermediate compartment cover having at least onecorresponding intermediate compartment fastener, and wherein thecarrying strap is attached at the side of the tubular body in a mannerthat does not substantially impede access to the openings.
 2. Thecarrying case according to claim 1 wherein the first opening is locatedon the top end of the tubular body, the first cover is a lid, and theopenings for the bottom and the at least one inner compartments aresubstantially aligned along a vertical axis of the tubular body.
 3. Thecarrying case according to claim 2 wherein the first openingsubstantially encompasses the top end and the first fastener is a zipperthat releasably fastens along a substantially an upper rim of the topend to a substantially outer rim of the cover.
 4. The carrying caseaccording to claim 2 wherein the fastener are selected from the groupconsisting of zippers, grommets, laces, fit seals, snaps, buttons, hookand loop type fasteners.
 5. The carrying case according to claim 1wherein the first opening is located on the side of the tubular body,and the openings for the top, the bottom and the at least oneintermediate compartments are substantially aligned along a verticalaxis of the tubular body.
 6. The carrying case according to claim 5wherein the fastener are zippers.
 7. The carrying case according toclaim 1 further comprising a handle located on the side of the tubularbody, substantially under the strap, and near the top end.
 8. Thecarrying case according to claim 2 further comprising a handle locatedon the side of the tubular body, substantially under the strap and nearthe top end.
 9. The carrying case according to claim 8 furthercomprising a golf stand substantially along the vertical axis of thetubular body, and attached on the side of the tubular body substantiallyopposing the openings of the bottom and at least one inner compartments.10. The carrying case according to claim 3, wherein each side openingfurther comprises a canopy on which the corresponding cover is attachedand the opening is releasably closed by a fastener that attaches thecover to the canopy.
 11. The carrying case according to claim 10,wherein all fasteners are zippers.
 12. The carrying case according toclaim 8, further comprising at least two wheels about the bottom end.13. The carrying case according to claim 8, wherein the bottom endcomprises sufficient weight to maintain the tubular body in an uprightposition.
 14. The carrying case according to claim 10, furthercomprising a golf stand substantially along the vertical axis of thetubular body, and attached on the side of the tubular body substantiallyopposing the openings of the bottom and at least one inner compartments,and a handle located on the side of the tubular body, substantiallyunder the strap, and near the top end.
 15. The carrying case accordingto claim 14, further comprising a first pouch on the side opposing thestrap.
 16. The carrying case according to claim 15, further comprising asecond pouch above and in alignment with the side openings.
 17. Thecarrying case according to claim 10, further comprising a pouch that isattached along the inner wall of the top compartment.
 18. The carryingcase according to claim 3,further comprising six mesh pouches that areattached along the inner wall of the top compartment.
 19. A carryingcase comprising a substantially tubular body that is at least partiallyrigid, a golf stand, a handle and a carrying strap, wherein the tubularbody comprises a top end, a bottom end and a side of the tubular body,and is sectioned into four substantially separate transversecompartments comprising a top compartment, a bottom compartment, anupper intermediate compartment and a lower intermediate compartment; thetop compartment comprises a top opening which substantially encompassesthe top end and is releasably closed by a lid having a first zipper thatreleasably fastens along a substantially an upper rim of the top end toa substantially outer rim of the lid, the remaining compartments eachcomprise a corresponding opening on the side of, and aligned on avertical axis of the tubular body, and closed by a corresponding coverhaving a corresponding fastener selected from the group consisting ofzippers, snaps, hooks and loop type fasteners, the golf stand isattached on the side of the tubular body substantially opposing the sideopenings, the carrying strap is attached at the side of the tubular bodyat about the top end and at about the middle of the tubular body in amanner that does not substantially impede access to the openings orinterfere with the operation of the golf stand, the handle is attachedto the side of the tubular body substantially under the strap and nearthe top end, and wherein the carrying case provides the appearance of agolf bag.
 20. A diaper bag comprising a substantially tubular body thatis at least partially rigid, a first side pouch, a second side pouch, ahandle and a carrying strap, wherein the tubular body comprises a topend, a bottom end and a side of the tubular body, and is sectioned intofour substantially separate transverse compartments comprising a topcompartment, a bottom compartment, an upper intermediate compartment anda lower intermediate compartment; the top compartment comprises at leastone internal pouch that is attached along the interior wall of the topcompartment, a top opening which substantially encompasses the top endand is releasably closed by a lid having a first zipper that releasablyfastens along a substantially an upper rim of the top end to asubstantially outer rim of the lid, the remaining compartments comprisesa corresponding opening with a corresponding canopy in the shape of apouch on the side of, and aligned on a vertical axis of the tubularbody, a corresponding cover having a corresponding zipper is attached toeach corresponding canopy such that the corresponding cover releasablycloses the corresponding opening when the zipper is fastened to thecorresponding canopy, the carrying strap is attached at the side of thetubular body at about the top end and at about the middle of the tubularbody in a manner that does not substantially impede access to theopenings, the handle is attached to the side of the tubular bodysubstantially under the strap and near the top end, the first side pouchis on a side opposing the carrying strap, and the second mesh side pouchis above and in alignment with the side openings.